Geneva Ruth Smith was born the daughter of Van Armstrong and Martha (Cozort) Armstrong on December 7, 1923, in Morriston, Arkansas, and departed this life on March 14, 2017, in West Plains, Missouri, at the age of 93 years.
She was united in marriage on August 6, 1939, in Salem, Arkansas, to Claude Smith who preceded her in death on June 5, 1988.
She is survived by four children, Geneva Sue Purcell of Thayer, Missouri, Martha Martin and husband, Tom of Indianapolis, Indiana, Sondra Jones and husband, Charles of Ozark, Missouri, and Therman Smith and wife, Melissa of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas; eighteen grandchildren, John, Jake, Susan, Vincent, Rick, Lynda, Kerri, Pam, Patti, T.J., Tara, Luke, Angie, Tammy, Angela, Emily, Charity, and Kaleb; thirty-six great grandchildren; fifteen great-great grandchildren; one brother, David Armstrong of Mound Ridge, Kansas; one sister, Veneda Dillard of Pontiac, Michigan; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Claude Smith; her parents, Van and Martha Armstrong; one daughter, Wanda Moore; one son, Claude Smith, Jr.; one great grandson, Preston Hale, two brothers, Cleatus “Pete” Armstrong and Cloyce Armstrong; and five sisters, Thelma Armstrong, Jeanette Romine, Nadine Smith, Wilma Cherry and Elsie Holman.
Mrs. Smith was a longtime member of Mammoth Spring Church of Christ, faithfully attending as long as health permitted.
Geneva was employed with Puritan Fashions, later known as Barads, for many years, earning the position as floor supervisor.
She enjoyed quilting, gardening, fishing, and sewing. Mrs. Smith also loved to sing and sang at many funerals in the area.
She loved her family and will be remembered as a devoted mother, cherished grandmother and a dear sister. She will truly be missed by her family and friends.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, March 18, 2017, at 2:00 PM at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, with Barry O’Dell officiating.
The family will receive friends Saturday from 1:00 until service time at the funeral home in Thayer.
Burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer.
March 15, 2017 @ 1:08 pm
Sorry for the loss of Aunt Nib. She was a very special lady. Always so good to John Jr and our family. Loved her and will miss her
March 15, 2017 @ 2:26 pm
What a nice lady she always was. She will be truly missed by all that knew her. So, sorry for your loss.
Deepest sympathy to a very special family,
Ray Bob and Shana Cochran
March 16, 2017 @ 1:46 pm
We were sorry to hear about the loss of Aunt Nib. Mom (Wanda Smith) and all of us are greatly saddened by her loss. We pray peace for the family and send all our love. She was an important part in our lives and will be missed.
She is not gone but only resting and no doubt surrounded by those that love her, until we can all be together again.
March 16, 2017 @ 8:48 pm
Our sympathy to Geneva’s family and friends. We will always remember her warm smile and kind words every time we met.
March 17, 2017 @ 10:57 am
So sad to lose Geneva. She was a wonderful Christian lady, honest, witty and a great fisherwoman. Our Smith family reunions won’t be the same without her. We will treasure our memories.
March 17, 2017 @ 2:31 pm
My “Aunt Nib”, a grand lady that raised a passel of great kids, with strength of character and love of life in the MO-ARK region. With Love we will meet on that distant shore. Clyde Eddie
March 17, 2017 @ 7:01 pm
Thinking of your dear,sweet mom….. such a large part of my childhood
March 29, 2017 @ 12:30 pm
Family of Geneva Smith,
I am Walter Cozort’s Granddaughter and Norris and Ivene Cozort’s oldest daughter. We want to extend our deepest sympathy to each one of you upon the loss of Geneva. I met her a few times and really enjoyed her friendly, happy go lucky personality! Each one of you will be in our continued prayers/thoughts. May God comfort, encourage, and support each one of you thru this difficult time. May God bless each one of you.
In Christian Love,
Norris/Ivene Cozort and Amber(Cozort)Redburn